May 2024 Customs Broker Exam — official answers, explained

Newest sealed read: 2026-09-07. We add a new sitting after each April and October exam. We hold 5 sealed runs going back to 2024-05-01.

What this page is80 rows held · newest sealed read 2026-09-07

CBP's May 2024 exam had 80 questions. We explain 13 of them; the 10 below are a free sample.
The answer letter on every row is CBP's own official answer key. The explanation next to it is ours.
Each explanation quotes the exact Title 19 CFR text the official key cites, fetched from the eCFR — the model quotes the rule, it does not recall it.
Every explanation is drafted by a local model and then checked by a second local model; a flagged draft is withheld, not shown.

Real rows out of our sealed copies

These are real questions from the sealed CBP paper. The answer is CBP's official one; the explanation is ours and quotes the rule the key cites.

May 2024 sample: 10 of 80 questions CBP May 2024 sitting · sealed copy 2026-09-07

#	Question and options	CBP official answer	Our explanation
Q1	Which of the following statements is FALSE? A) Only customs brokers who have been approved for a National Permit are required to pay the annual user fee every year.; B) All customs brokers are required to file the triennial status report and pay the associated fee every three years after 1985.; C) Every applicant for a customs broker's license must pay an application fee, the amount of which is based upon whether the applicant is an individual, a partnership, an association, or a corporation.; D) All customs brokers are required to file an annual status report and pay the annual user fee every year after 1985.	D) All customs brokers are required to file an annual status report and pay the annual user fee every year after 1985.	Statement D is false because the regulation does not require all brokers to file an annual status report; instead, § 111.96(d) specifies a "triennial status report fee" for the reporting requirement in § 111.30(d)(1), which occurs every three years. While § 111.96(c) does require an annual permit user fee, this obligation applies specifically to brokers holding a national permit, not to all customs brokers. Therefore, the claim that every broker must file an annual status report and pay an annual user fee is incorrect. Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 111.96.
Q4	Which statement accurately reflects the duration limitations for powers of attorney? A) Powers of attorney issued by a partnership can be granted for an unlimited period and all other powers of attorney are limited to a period not to exceed two (2) years from the date signed.; B) Powers of attorney issued by a partnership and all other powers of attorney have the same duration limitation of two (2) years from the date signed.; C) Powers of attorney issued by a partnership shall be limited to a period not to exceed two (2) years from the date of execution, while all other powers of attorney may be granted for an unlimited period.; D) Powers of attorney issued by a partnership are valid for five (5) years from the date of execution, while all other powers of attorney may be granted for an unlimited period.	C) Powers of attorney issued by a partnership shall be limited to a period not to exceed two (2) years from the date of execution, while all other powers of attorney may be granted for an unlimited period.	The regulation explicitly states that "Powers of attorney issued by a partnership shall be limited to a period not to exceed 2 years from the date of execution." It further clarifies that "All other powers of attorney may be granted for an unlimited period." Therefore, Option C is the correct answer because it accurately reflects these specific duration limitations for partnerships versus other entities. Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 141.34.
Q5	A duly licensed customs broker plans to switch from keeping paper records of documents created in the course of conducting customs business to keeping digital records electronically. These documents are not required to be maintained as original paper records under laws and regulations administered by other Federal Government agencies. From whom must the broker receive permission to switch the method of storage and within what time frame? A) Regulatory Audit, Charlotte, North Carolina; at least 30 calendar days before implementing the alternative storage method; B) The Executive Director, Office of Trade, CBP Headquarters; no more than 30 calendar days after implementation of the alternative storage method; C) Broker Management Branch, CBP Headquarters; at least 60 calendar days before implementation of the alternative storage method; D) The Executive Director, Trade Regulatory Audit, CBP Headquarters; no more than 15 calendar days after implementation of the alternative storage method	A) Regulatory Audit, Charlotte, North Carolina; at least 30 calendar days before implementing the alternative storage method	Under 19 CFR 163.5(b)(1), a broker must give "advance written notification" to the "Regulatory Audit, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 2001 Cross Beam Dr., Charlotte, North Carolina" before using an alternative storage method. The regulation explicitly states that this written notice "must be provided at least 30 calendar days before implementation of the alternative storage method." Therefore, Option A is correct because it identifies the proper recipient in Charlotte and the required 30-day advance notice period. Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 163.5.
Q6	Which of the following is TRUE regarding the record retention period? A) Records pertaining to articles that are admitted free of duty and tax pursuant to 19 USC 1321(a)(2) shall be kept for five (5) years from the date of the entry.; B) Packing lists shall be retained for a period of ninety (90) calendar days from the end of release or conditional period, whichever is later.; C) Any record relating to a drawback claim shall be kept until the fifth (5th) anniversary of the date of the payment of the claim.; D) A consignee who is not the owner and appoints a customs broker shall keep a record of merchandise covered by informal entry for two (2) years from the date of the informal entry.	D) A consignee who is not the owner and appoints a customs broker shall keep a record of merchandise covered by informal entry for two (2) years from the date of the informal entry.	Option D is correct because 19 CFR 163.4(b)(3) explicitly states that a consignee who is not the owner or purchaser and who appoints a customs broker "shall keep a record pertaining to merchandise covered by an informal entry for 2 years from the date of the informal entry." The other options are incorrect because the regulation specifies different retention periods: drawback claims must be kept until the third anniversary of payment under paragraph (b)(1), packing lists must be retained for 60 calendar days under paragraph (b)(2), and records for articles admitted free of duty under 19 U.S.C. 1321(a)(2) must be kept for 2 years under paragraph (b)(4). Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 163.4.
Q7	A customs broker license applicant has been denied a customs broker license. Which of the following best describes the next action the applicant must take to initiate an appeal? A) File with the Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of Trade, in writing, a request for additional review that the Executive Assistant Commissioner deems appropriate not later than ninety (90) days of the denial.; B) File with the appropriate Executive Director, Office of Trade, in writing, additional information or arguments in support of the application. Such information and arguments must be received by the Executive Director within sixty (60) calendar days of the denial.; C) Appeal the decision to the Court of International Trade within thirty (30) days of the denial.; D) Appeal the decision by filing a written or electronic appeal with the Office of Trade, CBP Headquarters within thirty (30) days of the denial.	B) File with the appropriate Executive Director, Office of Trade, in writing, additional information or arguments in support of the application. Such information and arguments must be received by the Executive Director within sixty (60) calendar days of the denial.	Option B is correct because 19 CFR 111.17(a) states that upon denial, the applicant may file with the "appropriate Executive Director, Office of Trade, in writing, additional information or arguments in support of the application." The regulation further specifies that this filing "must be received by the appropriate Executive Director, Office of Trade within sixty (60) calendar days of the denial," which matches the details in Option B. Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 111.17.
Q10	Which of the following statements is TRUE? For the purposes of this question, an organization means a partnership, association, or corporation. A) An applicant for a national permit applying on behalf of an organization must be an individually licensed customs broker employed by the organization and such individual will also be responsible for exercising responsible supervision and control over the activities conducted under that national permit.; B) An applicant who obtains a passing grade on the examination for an individual broker license may apply for a national permit and the permit will be issued if the broker license is denied as long as the requirements of 19 CFR 111.19(b)(2) - (11), (c) and (d) are met.; C) An organizational broker must be issued a district permit by the processing Center before the organization may apply for a national permit for the purpose of transacting customs business in accordance with the requirements in 19 CFR Part 111.; D) An employee of a broker may, acting on his or her own behalf and without an individual license, while on the employer's premises, execute powers of attorney between the employee and clients of the employee and use the employer's facilities to conduct customs business on behalf of those clients.	A) An applicant for a national permit applying on behalf of an organization must be an individually licensed customs broker employed by the organization and such individual will also be responsible for exercising responsible supervision and control over the activities conducted under that national permit.	Option A is correct because 19 CFR 111.19(b) explicitly states that an applicant applying for a national permit on behalf of a partnership, association, or corporation "must be a licensed broker employed by the partnership, association, or corporation." The regulation further requires that the applicant "will exercise responsible supervision and control (as described in § 111.28) over the activities conducted under that national permit," which directly supports the conditions described in the correct answer. Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 111.19.
Q11	Pursuant to CBP regulations regarding CBP's Office of Information Technology Security (CBP SOC), what must a broker do when there is a breach of physical records related to the broker's customs business? A) Notify electronically the CBP Office of Information Technology Security Operations Center (CBP SOC) within 72 hours of the discovery and provide CBP SOC with any known compromised importer identification numbers.; B) Notify electronically and by mail CBP SOC within 72 hours of the discovery and provide CBP SOC any known compromised importer identification numbers.; C) Notify the broker's assigned processing Center within 72 hours of the discovery and let their clients know their operations are temporarily suspended.; D) Notify the CBP Executive Assistant Commissioner within ten (10) days of the discovery and provide any known compromised importer identification numbers.	A) Notify electronically the CBP Office of Information Technology Security Operations Center (CBP SOC) within 72 hours of the discovery and provide CBP SOC with any known compromised importer identification numbers.	Under 19 CFR 111.21(b), a broker must "provide notification to the CBP Office of Information Technology Security Operations Center (CBP SOC) of any known breach of electronic or physical records" by sending it electronically within 72 hours of discovery. This notification must include "any known compromised importer identification numbers," which aligns with Option A. The regulation does not require mail notification or reporting to the Executive Assistant Commissioner, making the other options incorrect. Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 111.21.
Q12	Which of the following statements is FALSE? A) A broker must transmit payment to the Government within five (5) working days after receipt from a client if the due date has passed.; B) Records pertaining to the business of the clients serviced by customs brokers are to be considered confidential.; C) Without exception, a broker who imports merchandise must not act as a broker for an importer who imports merchandise of the same general character as that imported by the broker.; D) Each broker must exercise responsible supervision and control over the transaction of customs business.	C) Without exception, a broker who imports merchandise must not act as a broker for an importer who imports merchandise of the same general character as that imported by the broker.	Option C is the false statement because 19 CFR 111.31(c) explicitly allows a broker to act for an importer of similar merchandise "unless the client has full knowledge of the facts," meaning the prohibition is not absolute. The regulation states, "A broker who is an importer himself must not act as broker for an importer who imports merchandise of the same general character as that imported by the broker unless the client has full knowledge of the facts." Therefore, the claim in Option C that this restriction applies "without exception" contradicts the specific exception provided in the text. Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 111.31.
Q13	Which of the following is NOT required for a corporation to file entry / entry summary for commercial merchandise on behalf of others? A) A corporate officer who is a licensed customs broker.; B) A broker license and a national permit.; C) A valid power of attorney obtained from the principal.; D) Automated Broker Interface (ABI) functionality.	D) Automated Broker Interface (ABI) functionality.	Under 19 CFR 111.2(a)(1), a person must obtain a license to transact customs business as a broker, and 19 CFR 111.2(b) states that a national permit constitutes sufficient permit authority to conduct such business within the customs territory. Therefore, a corporation filing entries on behalf of others requires both a broker license and a national permit, as well as a valid power of attorney from the principal to act on their behalf. Automated Broker Interface (ABI) functionality is not listed in the provided regulation text as a mandatory requirement for the license or permit itself, making it the correct answer for what is NOT required. Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 111.2.
Q14	In which of the following circumstances is a power of attorney required when filing a protest? A) When the protest is filed directly by the importer.; B) When the protest is filed by the importer’s attorney-at-law.; C) When a protest is filed by the importer's agent, and that agent is not an attorney at law, a licensed customs broker, or an authorized employee of a licensed customs broker.; D) A power of attorney is not required to file a protest.	C) When a protest is filed by the importer's agent, and that agent is not an attorney at law, a licensed customs broker, or an authorized employee of a licensed customs broker.	Under 19 CFR 174.3(a), a power of attorney is required when a protest is filed by an agent who is not an attorney at law, a customhouse broker, or an authorized employee of a broker. The regulation explicitly exempts attorneys at law and customhouse brokers (or their authorized employees) from this requirement, making option C the correct answer. Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 174.3.

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